Got a quote!

[Olegreg181]

As the title states I got a quote today to get a full system installed, PROFESSIONAL. I have always done my audio my self, but I don't want to mess with my gem with my somewhat of a understanding of it all. I think its time to have it done right the first time for once. After this quote I am kinda back at "I am just going to install my audio myself." So, the quote came to a grand total of $2263.60 with a included $450 of labor. Does this at all seem high to you all? I haven't had a quote on car audio yet, so I am just thrown off a bit. $450 in Labor seems high, to me atleast. And how do I make my next picture not sideways when I upload it??:headbonk:

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[badass03ragtop]

The way they listed MISCITEM TECHNICIAN and $450 doesn't sit well with me. I would ask for the hourly labor rate as it seems to me like they just tack it on as a flat charge. Try getting a quote from another professional shop and compare them. I'd love to say you get what you pay for, but having paid to have a system professionally installed once, then finding various things wrong, IE broken speaker grill mounts from over-torqueing, power cable bundled with RCA cable (causes interference), etc., I have never had a complete system installed "professionally" again.

I almost forgot... Do research on the shop and see what others who have had work done had to say.

 

[draco24433]

My biggest concern is not the price. If I had the money and did not mind spending it, then sure I would. I would ask him what you can expect as far as sound quality goes and above all, the quality of the installation. If you are going to pay that kind of money and not have all your connection soldered like it should be, then hec no. I would tell the shop about my expectations for the installation quality and if they can meet them. Good luck!

 

[HalfMoon]

Honestly, I'd find another shop.

I googled this one and found very little, and nothing really positive. If you look at their site, they don't even have any content under their link to "Our Work".

$450 isn't out of line for the labor in my opinion, if it's done right.... but there are a lot of shops out there that are hacks and will hide damage that they do.

My best advice is to not weigh the online reviews too much, but talk to people that have actually used a shop and see the work they did in person. Many times online positive reviews are fake, or falsely posted in the hopes by the reviewer that the shop will fix problems they have if they give a good review.

Around here, there are a ton of really poor quality installers that charge a lot of money for cheap wire, cheap labor and also provide terrible tinting services. Ask around and find out who the premier shops are in your area that work on high end cars regularly. It will probably cost you a lot more though. Here a complete system install can run $a lot of money in labor from the real Pros, but if something breaks they will replace it and not hide it from you.

Or, as you mentioned, you could buy all of the components (at a cheaper price in many cases) and install it yourself. If you have hands-on skills and can pay attention to detail, it's really not that hard to do, but I would recommend taking your time and planning it out properly. Watch all the youtube videos you can and read the Car Audio forums. I used to install my own stuff, but I am a perfectionist and very critical. It would take me days to get everything correct and to my liking. Today I don't have the time, so when I decide to get a system, I just pay a real pro shop to do it and take the hit in the wallet.

 

[Patrick S]

^^^ all of this.

plus, Professional only means that they get paid for what they do. it does not mean that they are any better then you are at installation of audio equipment.

 

[TheColorRed]

450 isnt really out of line...it does take someone a whole day to do a full system.

What is out of line is paying the A/C guy 100 bucks for 15 min of work.

 

[draco24433]

That is why I usually wait for Crutchfield to size out the system so I can order from them. I emailed them about our cars and I was told that they are working on it but would take some time. The normally include things like wiring kit for the radio and speakers, instructions, tech support and anything else you may need. I have bought from them many time and although they may not have the greatest equipment, they do right by me.

 

[steve1107]

^^^ all of this.

plus, Professional only means that they get paid for what they do. it does not mean that they are any better then you are at installation of audio equipment.

I take exception with this comment. A professional obviously does get paid. But to say any Joe can do the same quality is ridiculous. Repetition improves your quality. If all you do Is stereo installs your work will show. Theirs a name for Joe. It'd called hack! I've repaired a lot of equipment after a hack did his thing. I charge Joe hack extra to fix his mess.

 

[steve1107]

I take exception with this comment. A professional obviously does get paid. But to say any Joe can do the same quality is ridiculous. Repetition improves your quality. If all you do Is stereo installs your work will show. Theirs a name for Joe. It'd called hack! I've repaired a lot of equipment after a hack did his thing. I charge Joe hack extra to fix his mess.

That being said. $450 is high.

 

[steve1107]

450 isnt really out of line...it does take someone a whole day to do a full system.

What is out of line is paying the A/C guy 100 bucks for 15 min of work.

Did he add gas to your system? Do you know how expensive freon is?

 

[Olegreg181]

I am defiantly getting another quote to just look at the price difference and see what they can do for me. The shop that gave me that quote is known for great work and nothing short of it, but I did forget to ask about exactly how they will install the system. We talked for a good hour about quality of work and how it will sound, etc. Also, I know I will get my own equipment because I know I can save atleast a hondo which is worth the time for me. Honestly, the one reason I went to get a quote so I know exactly what I need to get for setup, is that bad haha. If the job takes a whole day then yeah I can defiantly see the labor cost being that high. As if I feel I can justify spending that on labor I don't know. I am defiantly handy enough with shop, and am very detail oriented so I know I can do it right even if it takes me a whole weekend. This is a one I'm going to sleep on for a while.

 

[Khyber]

this is me, but if I was going to do it... I'd want to do it myself and use youtube/crutch field eventually/ this forum to help me get it done.

Buying stuff from shops is already over priced compared to the internet (usually, this is why all audio shops around here closed down except for 2 that are not the type of people I would tell anyone to go to...)

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

this is me, but if I was going to do it... I'd want to do it myself and use youtube/crutch field eventually/ this forum to help me get it done.

Buying stuff from shops is already over priced compared to the internet (usually, this is why all audio shops around here closed down except for 2 that are not the type of people I would tell anyone to go to...)

Eh... I don't really agree here. Like, I do my own home audio, because if I make a mistake with something it's a pretty easy fix, and it's not a big deal to run wires around for a surround sound setup if you're not hiding the wires behind drywall (I put them in plastic conduit that gets tacked to the walls). And mounting speakers to walls is pretty easy no matter what size they are. But car audio requires removing upholstery and making sure that the speakers fit properly into the enclosures, and making sure that the wiring doesn't interfere with any of the rest of the electrical systems, and sealing everything up properly and tight so that there's no rattles or squeaks from the car... and then if you make a mistake you have to rip all of that upholstery and wiring out and start over again. I'd rather hire somebody who's done it before and knows how to do it the right way.

The standard labor rate where I am is $75 / hour, so $450 would be six hours of work. That sounds entirely reasonable.

 

[Khyber]

You never agree with anyone and always have a contradicting opinion lol

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

You never agree with anyone and always have a contradicting opinion lol

Totally not true. I agree with everybody who says the Mustang is an awesome car!

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